Episode 5
After spending a night at each of their family homes, Seong-hyeok and Yeong-in finally returned to their own house.
The moment they stepped through the front door, a soft cheer escaped Yeong-in’s lips.
“Wow… we’re home.”
“Do you like it?”
A contented smile spread across Seong-hyeok’s face.
“I love it.”
It wasn’t that she disliked her grandfather’s house or her in-laws’ mansion, but nothing felt as comfortable as her own space.
Even though they’d only been living here for a few months, it already felt like coming home.
Not even the most luxurious resort or her grandfather’s palatial home could give her this sense of stability and peace.
Of course, she knew this feeling wouldn’t exist if not for the man standing beside her. Without him, the house would have felt empty and cold.
“But thinking about how we only have one day of vacation left makes me a little sad.”
The two of them had taken time off until Monday to file their marriage registration. Starting Tuesday, they’d be hit with the aftermath of their extended break.
Seong-hyeok gently led her toward the dressing room.
“There are still five hours left today. That’s plenty of time to do a lot.”
“Like what?”
“You know… what you’re thinking.”
Though she knew exactly what he meant, Yeong-in feigned ignorance.
“Sending thank-you messages to the people who came to our wedding?”
A faint crease formed between Seong-hyeok’s brows.
“We’ve been doing that in bits and pieces since we got back to Korea. Didn’t we get through most of it already?”
“Most, yes. But not all.”
“Finish the rest when I’m not around.”
“Then maybe I should catch up on my scripts.”
Inside the dressing room, he tapped her forehead lightly with a finger.
“You’re getting better and better at teasing me.”
Instead of denying it, Yeong-in gave him a playful smile and stepped closer. Then, she began unbuttoning his shirt one button at a time.
“You’ve been patient for two days. You deserve a reward. That way you’ll behave next time too.”
“You really know how to handle me.”
“Who else would, if not me? You’re my husband.”
His shirt slipped to the floor, baring his well-built torso. Soon, her delicate, pale hands—hands that could be described as works of art—found his belt.
As if to prove his earlier point, she deliberately undid it at an agonizingly slow pace.
By now, the man’s body was already burning with desire.
“Which room should we go to?”
During the preparations for their wedding, a new room had been designated as Yeong-in’s. A nominal “guest room” that had never hosted a guest became her private space.
It was a result of her offhand remark, *“I wish I had my own room.”*
When Seong-hyeok asked why, she replied that everyone needs alone time sometimes.
He only agreed after getting a clear confirmation that she wasn’t suggesting they sleep separately every night.
“Tonight, I’d rather stay somewhere familiar than try something new.”
Unable to bear watching her walk all the way to her room, he scooped her up into his arms.
Even as he carried her swiftly, their lips were already locked in a deep, unbroken kiss.
***
Seong-hyeok awoke with a sense of emptiness.
The space beside him in bed was cold and vacant.
For thirty years he’d slept alone, but now, without Yeong-in next to him, something felt missing—his heart even felt hollow.
He got up and walked out of the bedroom.
She was standing on the balcony that connected to the living room, her back to him. She must have come out to watch the sunrise.
Suddenly, the day he returned from America three years ago flashed in his mind.
That morning, the sky had been painted crimson—and the balcony had felt desolate. But now, with her standing there, even though she took up so little space, it felt as though she filled the entire balcony.
The only woman he would willingly die for—Chae Yeong-in.
Seeing her there as his wife made his heart swell all over again.
Quietly, just as he had once before, Seong-hyeok stepped up and wrapped his arms around her slender frame.
She gave a small start of surprise before relaxing into him, leaning back against his chest. The way she trusted and relied on him sent a rush of warmth through his body.
He loved everything about her: her soft, warm skin, her silky hair, her faint, comforting scent.
Maybe he really was addicted to this woman.
“Why are you up so early?”
“Because you weren’t there.”
Yeong-in stroked the arms holding her against his chest as she looked up at the sky.
“I wanted to see the sunrise. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“You’re more beautiful.”
Yeong-in laughed aloud.
“So I’ve outshone the sun?”
“You outshine the sun, the moon… there’s nothing you can’t conquer.”
“I must be invincible then.”
A radiant smile spread across her face.
He had a way of making her feel like the most special person in the world.
A man as bright as the midday sun, as dazzling as the morning light.
To be loved by such a man, to be his wife—she felt joy so overwhelming it made her chest ache.
***
After sleeping in late, the couple grabbed brunch at a café near their villa and then headed to the district office.
Thanks to preparing most of the paperwork at home, filing their marriage registration was quick and easy.
“Let’s take a picture together.”
Yeong-in led Seong-hyeok to the photo zone in the lobby.
“How did you know about this?”
Seong-hyeok looked curiously at the little photo booth.
“One of my actors filmed a drama scene here last year. That’s when I saw it.”
“You probably didn’t think you’d be taking pictures here with me.”
“Not with you… or anyone, really.”
They laughed, surprised yet amused by how unpredictable life had been for them.
Holding a sign that read *“We’re officially married!”*, they snapped a photo and headed to the parking lot.
As they walked arm in arm, Yeong-in suddenly glanced up at him.
“Do you finally feel like Chae Yeong-in belongs to Cha Seong-hyeok now?”
He remembered his own words.
*“You’re clearly mine, but I can’t feel it. Maybe I’ll feel it after we have the wedding and register our marriage.”*
A faintly mischievous smile tugged at his lips.
“You’re talking about that day? That night, you gave me everything—your body and your heart. That’s when I knew you were completely mine.”
“…”
Blushing furiously, Yeong-in recalled the overly bold night he was referring to.
The two chatted idly as they reached the car.
“Wait a second.”
Instead of letting her walk to the passenger side, Seong-hyeok guided her to the back of the car and popped open the trunk.
Inside was an enormous box, nearly filling the entire space.
Yeong-in’s eyes went wide with surprise. She had ridden in the car all the way here and hadn’t noticed a thing.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
As instructed, she opened the box—and was instantly hit by a rush of sweet floral fragrance.
“Wow…”
Inside were flowers in every imaginable color.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to call it a miniature garden. There had to be hundreds of blooms.
As the scent bewitched her nose and the vibrant colors dazzled her eyes, a smooth voice tickled her ears.
“I realized I’ve never given you flowers before.”
“I guess I’ve been living under a misconception all this time.”
“A misconception?”
Her gaze drifted from the flowers to where Seong-hyeok stood, his head tilted slightly.
“I thought I didn’t like flowers.”
A small, sincere smile crept across her face, followed by a playful comment.
“But I was wrong.”
“Is that your way of saying you like them?”
“I love them.”
Almost leaning into the box, Yeong-in admired each bloom carefully. Only after drinking in the flowers’ beauty with her eyes did she straighten up and ask:
“Did you pack them in a box instead of a basket so I wouldn’t smell them and guess in advance?”
Thinking back, there had been a faint floral scent earlier—but she hadn’t paid attention because she hadn’t imagined Seong-hyeok would prepare flowers.
“You always read my intentions perfectly. I love that about you.”
As if to say *of course*, Yeong-in smiled and turned back toward the box—only to spot something new.
“Oh? You wrote a card too?”
She plucked a small, pale yellow envelope tucked into the corner of the box.
“I didn’t write anything. That’s for you to write.”
“Huh?”
Puzzled, she opened the envelope—and frowned as she pulled out its contents.
“What is this?”
“What do you think? It’s a credit card.”
It was one of those infamous “black cards” issued under Cha Seong-hyeok’s name.
“This is for me?”
“Yeah. From now on, use only that card.”
“I make a pretty good salary, you know. I’ve saved quite a bit, and my dad, grandfather, and aunt give me plenty of allowance too.”
Yeong-in rattled off her finances to reassure him.
“I’m not giving it to you because I think you’re broke. Now that we’re married, we should manage our finances properly.”
“Properly how?”
“Don’t touch a single penny of your salary. Save all of it.”
“And then?”
After a moment’s thought, he replied casually.
“Someday we’ll buy a house.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Even if I save every penny, it’ll take me ten years to buy a tiny apartment in Seoul.”
“Then we’ll buy one in ten years.”
“So systematic of you.”
“Thanks for acknowledging it.”
Yeong-in laughed, conceding defeat—there was no winning against his logic.
“I might end up splurging, you know.”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
“Even if I buy a luxury bag every single day?”
“Just the thought makes me happy.”
Yeong-in let out a bright, carefree laugh.
It was a flawless victory for Cha Seong-hyeok.
(Continued..)
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